The Promise Of The Messiah
Friday, April 24
Jude 1:4 (NKJV)
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.“
Devotion
Today’s scripture reading focuses on a group of people that pursue the agenda of furtiveness. This group of individuals is quoted in scripture as being perverted, far from grace, living lives that are immoral in the eyes of God. As we continue this series of the second coming of Christ, scripture describes two groups of people: the godly and the ungodly—those awaiting the promise of eternal life in Christ, and those that have complete unbelief in their hearts and have decided to live a life that dishonors the calling given to them, denying Jesus Christ our Lord.
The book of Jude had the intention of writing about the great salvation that believers share, but the writer, Jude, had to adjust his message because of false teachers that had infiltrated the church of his time. He wanted these troublemakers to be identified by their false teaching and false living, because the former inevitably leads to the latter. It’s important that believers learn to distinguish truth from error.
The book of Jude shows the difference between doctrinal error that manifests itself in corrupt living and the truth of God that leads to righteous living. This book also warns about rebelling against God’s ordained authorities; to do so is to rebel against God. Jude wanted believers to stand and fight for the truth of the Gospel—the hope of salvation, the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:1–6 says it like this: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
This faith is worth fighting for, it's worth defending with our last breath.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is in Your promise that we hope, and in Your Word that we await the return of our Messiah, Jesus. We come before You asking for forgiveness, for it is easy to be distracted by empty religion and lose our focus on Christ. Help us to say “yes” to Jesus and no to this world. Keep us anchored in Him, and let nothing pull us away. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Don’t settle for the appearance of faith, pursue a life that reflects the truth of the Gospel. This week, identify one area where your life or thinking may be drifting from truth, and realign it with Scripture through prayer, repentance, and obedience.
Resources
- What if you could clearly recognize the enemy’s strategy? “Satan’s Master Plan” reveals the truth you need to stay grounded and protected. Watch now.
- Don’t settle for surface-level faith. Join our School of Discipleship this fall and grow in the truth of God’s Word like never before.